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Drinking water for thousands of Illinoisans to be protected under Faraci law

Drinking water for thousands of Illinoisans to be protected under Faraci law

Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law

Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law

Collins law helps residents deal with criminal trespassing

Collins law helps residents deal with criminal trespassing

Lightford celebrates unveiling of Children’s Adversity Index to measure exposure to childhood trauma

Lightford celebrates unveiling of Children’s Adversity Index to measure exposure to childhood trauma

Koehler law reforms pharmacy benefit manager practices

Koehler law reforms pharmacy benefit manager practices

A new law makes Illinois the national leader in reducing contractor redlining

Details
Tuesday, January 09, 2024 03:31 PM

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CHICAGO – Illinois formally implemented the nation's biggest reform to contractor redlining in public works law. The General Assembly passed, and Governor JB Pritzker certified on Dec. 8, House Bill 2878. Part of the new law is a larger exception from the requirement that contractors purchase wealth-based surety bonds on public contracts. The law tripled the exception for local governments (from $50K to $150K) and increased it by ten times for IDOT and the Tollway (from $50K to $500K). As of Jan. 1, 2024, contracts under that amount no longer will require surety bonds.

 “I am grateful to all the stakeholders for their work on this vital legislation which will remove barriers for small businesses, many of which are women, veteran, and minority owned," said Senator Villivalam. "This legislation will help make our state more equitable and assist agencies in completing projects more efficiently."

“We are over-insuring public contracts, leading to higher costs and locking out minority- and women-owned businesses from participating and growing, because insurance is priced on the wealth of the owner, not on his or her capabilities. Right-sizing insurance requirements like surety bonds will lead to more projects and more generational wealth for communities that need it the most.” said Representative Kam Buckner, who filed HB2482 that would have raised the contract exemption to $5,000,000. 

Read more: A new law makes Illinois the national leader in reducing contractor redlining

Ellman law requires Fentanyl education in all Illinois high schools starting this year

Details
Friday, January 05, 2024 03:20 PM

ellman fentanyl 010524SPRINGFIELD – At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, every state-required health course will provide mandatory fentanyl education to high school students, thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Laura Ellman that took effect Jan. 1.

“In order to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic on all fronts, we need to educate our most vulnerable populations, which includes young people,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “The age of fentanyl exposure is younger than we think, and I am pleased this law implements such indispensable education for students.”

Read more: Ellman law requires Fentanyl education in all Illinois high schools starting this year

Food labels to become more clear starting Jan. 1 thanks to Ventura

Details
Friday, January 05, 2024 02:55 PM

ventura sellby 010524SPRINGFIELD – A new law from State Senator Rachel Ventura will promote standardization on food labels and reduce food waste across the state.

“We are working to reduce food waste and help our neighbors stretch their dollar by providing clearer information on food labels,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As we see buying power decrease due to inflation and grocery bills increasing, we need to think of alternatives to save people from guessing whether their food is safe to consume.”

House Bill 3849 defines "quality date," "safety date" and "sell by date" and requires the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Public Health to publish information to encourage food manufacturers, processors and retailers to voluntarily use uniform terms on food product labels to communicate quality and safety dates.

Read more: Food labels to become more clear starting Jan. 1 thanks to Ventura

Villa law aids grieving families after child loss

Details
Friday, January 05, 2024 02:47 PM

Villa floorSPRINGFIELD – Effective Jan. 1, individuals that lose a child to suicide or homicide have the right to extended bereavement leave thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Karina Villa establishing the Zachary’s Parent Protection Act.

After Laura Kane lost her son, Zachary, to suicide, she was expected to return to work just three days later. Her story inspired the law to protect grieving families from being put in the same situation.

“Losing a child is one of the most difficult experiences an individual can face especially when the child’s life was lost too soon to suicide or homicide,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is necessary to provide individuals suffering such an immense loss with a suitable amount of time to cope.”

Read more: Villa law aids grieving families after child loss

More Articles …

  1. Motorcyclists prioritized under Turner laws
  2. Hastings: New tool to combat carjackings and kidnappings coming soon in the New Year
  3. New Year, New Laws: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Delivers on Key Issues
  4. Cervantes law bans video calls while driving starting Jan. 1
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  • Joyce-led measure to expand hunting permit eligibility signed into law
    Joyce-led measure to expand hunting permit eligibility signed into law
    SPRINGFIELD – Landowners and farmers will now have more flexibility when it comes to hunting on their own property after legislation from State Senator Patrick Joyce was signed into law on Friday. “People only get so much time in a season to get out...

    Read more...

  • Porfirio-backed Drew Price Act improving firefighter safety becomes law
    Porfirio-backed Drew Price Act improving firefighter safety becomes law
    SPRINGFIELD — A severe rooftop safety hazard for Illinois firefighters will be mended thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Mike Porfirio. “This is a profound advancement for the safety of Illinois firefighters,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Town...

    Read more...

  • Koehler’s law creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission
    Koehler’s law creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission
    SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s law establishing the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission to preserve and promote the state’s Underground Railroad history is now on the books. “This law is a meaningful step toward recognizing and commemorati...

    Read more...

  • Dental insurance payments now streamlined thanks to new Cervantes law
    Dental insurance payments now streamlined thanks to new Cervantes law
    SPRINGFIELD – Dental patients will no longer have to worry about footing the bill for an appointment while waiting to be reimbursed by their insurance plan, thanks to an initiative led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes that was signed into law...

    Read more...

  • Johnson honored with amphitheater naming in Buffalo Grove
    Johnson honored with amphitheater naming in Buffalo Grove
    BUFFALO GROVE – In recognition of her unwavering dedication to public service and community advancement, State Senator Adriane Johnson will be honored with the naming of the amphitheater at Mike Rylko Community Park in Buffalo Grove. “I am deeply humb...

    Read more...

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